Hydraulic apparatus for bodily care, in particular oral care

ABSTRACT

The hydraulic apparatus comprises a handpiece connected via a pipe to a pump through an outlet orifice of the casing and a liquid reservoir feeding the pump, in the position of non-utilization the handpiece and the pipe rolled up in a spiral are accommodated on a platform. The end of the pipe connected to the outlet orifice of the casing is installed rotationally movably about the axis of the pipe. Preferably, the platform is itself installed on the casing in a movable manner about an axis perpendicular to the plane of this platform, by a turning adapter mounted in the outlet orifice of the casing.

This application is a division of application Ser. No. 07,963,609, filedOct. 20, 1992, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,257,933.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a hydraulic apparatus for bodily care, inparticular for oral care, according to the preamble of claim 1 or 2.

PRIOR ART

Such apparatuses equipped with a spraying nozzle are known, for examplefrom U.S. Pat. No. 4,078,558. The platform for housing the pipe in theform of a helical spring (also called very often spiral pipe) and thehandpiece which is sunken into an opening of the platform in the reststate of the apparatus is formed by a step offset on the inside of thecasing of the apparatus. In general, the arrangement is such that thepipe and the handpiece without nozzle and possibly the nozzles, whenplaced on this step, do not exceed the external dimensions of thecasing. This arrangement is advantageous as far as the storage of theelements of the apparatus during its non-utilization is concerned, andlikewise for its transport, because it reduces its bulkiness. By virtueof this arrangement, the reservoir, in the rest state, can be invertedand placed on the casing as a cover.

However, the rigid fixing of the pipe to the outlet orifice of thecasing renders the handling of this pipe inconvenient and is a source ofnoise during functioning of the apparatus. This pipe made of preformedplastic material is quite rigid and, under the action of itsprestressing, forms during its non-utilization a helical spring withcontiguous turns, the fixed end of the pipe being orientated verticallyin general. During utilization, the pipe has to be drawn out to removeit from the casing, but a part remains on the platform and, during thefunctioning of the apparatus, it can be in contact with one or moreplaces of the casing, which causes an unpleasant noise, the pipevibrating according to the frequency of the pump and the pulsations ofthe liquid, in general of approximately 50 Hz, it knocks with thisfrequency against the casing and, to prevent this noise, the user alwayshas to exert sufficient traction in a well determined direction on thepipe in order to move it away from the casing. Furthermore, this contactof the pipe with the casing can create wear, even a perforation of thepipe.

Moreover, the position of the handpiece and of the pipe accommodated onthis step offset on the inside makes their accessibility quitedifficult. Since this step is limited on one or more sides by a wall,respectively a number of walls, of the casing, these walls are veryclose, even in contact with the pipe. If, as is the case in numerousknown alternatives, the arrangement of the apparatus is such that, inthe working position, the reservoir is arranged above this platform andtherefore covers the space in which the pipe, the handpiece and possiblythe spare nozzles are situated, the accessibility to these elements andtheir maintenance are particularly difficult.

With an apparatus of this type, the height of the free space between theplatform and the bottom of the reservoir makes it possible to placevertically the handpiece alone, formed by a nozzle-holder, but not thenozzle-holder equipped with a nozzle, the spare nozzles being positionedvertically next to the nozzle-holder on the same platform. For thisreason, if the user places the filled reservoir on the casing, the waterwhich leaves the reservoir and passes through the pump can, according tothe principle of communicating vessels, rise in the nozzle-holder andflow out at the upper end of the latter, since this end is lower thanthe height of the water in the reservoir. To avoid this disadvantage,the user must, before placing the filled reservoir, take thenozzle-holder, move it away from the platform and fix the nozzle to itor keep it higher than the reservoir, which is not very convenient.

This known arrangement of the pipe and of the handpiece is thereforecapable of hampering the user in his handling operations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The aim of the present invention is to facilitate the handling of thehandpiece and of its pipe, while retaining reduced bulkiness of theapparatus when it is not used.

This aim is achieved by the characteristics of claim 1 or preferablyclaim 2.

These arrangements have the following main advantages:

during the functioning of the apparatus, the pipe can be moved away fromthe casing very easily and no longer touches it, therefore theunpleasant noise and the wear caused by the impacts with the casing areeliminated;

Moreover, with the embodiment according to claim 2:

the handpiece as well as the nozzles or the spare toothbrushespositioned on the platform are much more accessible;

before placing the filled reservoir on the casing, the user need turnthe platform simply by a small angle to release the handpiece from thereservoir, which allows him to fix a nozzle to said handpiece withoutremoving it from the platform. This avoids, when the filled reservoir isplaced on the casing, a flowing out of the water since the handpieceassembly plus nozzle is higher than the reservoir. The user can alsorelease the platform to a greater extent to make its entire surfaceaccessible. The user can of course make the platform pivot back into itsrest position after having taken hold of the handpiece, in order not tobe hampered during handling operations.

Preferred embodiments result from the dependent claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be described in greater detail by means of an exampleof an apparatus equipped with a nozzle-holder as handpiece and with fournozzles.

FIG. 1 represents a lateral view of the apparatus in its position ofnon-utilization, with the inverted reservoir covering the casing.

FIG. 2 shows a view from above of the casing, with the reservoir and theplatform removed.

FIG. 3 is a view from above of the platform alone.

FIG. 3a is a cross-section of the platform along IIIa--IIIa in FIG. 3.

FIG. 4 is a lateral view of the apparatus, with the reservoir inoperating position and the platform still in rest position, that is tosay retracted below the reservoir.

FIG. 5 is a view from above of the apparatus according to FIG. 4, withthe reservoir removed.

FIG. 6 is a lateral view of the apparatus in a position of preparation,with the platform partially pivoted towards the exterior to makepossible the fixing of a nozzle on the handpiece which has remained onthe platform.

FIG. 7 is a view from above of the apparatus according to FIG. 6, withthe reservoir removed.

FIG. 8 is a lateral view on the narrow side of the apparatus, with theplatform completely pivoted towards the outside.

FIG. 9 is a view from above of the apparatus according to FIG. 8, withthe reservoir removed.

FIG. 10 is a lateral view of the apparatus in utilization position, withthe handpiece moved away from the casing and the platform put back inrest position below the reservoir.

FIG. 11 is an enlarged view in cross-section of the arrangement of theturning adapter.

FIG. 12 is a view from below of the retention socket of the turningadapter.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)

According to FIGS. 1 to 5, the apparatus comprises a casing 1 containinga hydraulic pump driven by an electric motor, a reservoir 2 of liquidwith a handle 3 and a platform 12, on which a handpiece 17 in the formof a nozzle-holder and four spare nozzles 19 are placed. The electricmotor can be connected by means of a cable (not shown) to an externalmains socket. The handpiece 17 is connected by a flexible pipe 18 to theoutlet orifice 10 of the casing 1 in communication with the outlet ofthe pump.

The casing 1 has a general stepped shape, the upper face of the top halfserving as support face 5 for the reservoir 2 in operating position(FIG. 4), while the upper face of the bottom half serves as support face8 for the platform 12. In the operating position of the reservoir 2, avalve 4 is in communication with the inlet orifice 6 of the casing,itself connected to the inlet of the pump. A positioning boss 7 formedon the casing 1 is provided to engage in a corresponding recess formedon the bottom of the reservoir 2 to ensure the correct operatingposition of said reservoir. In this operating position, illustrated inFIG. 4, the reservoir 2 covers the platform 12 and its stability isensured by a small pillar 9 formed on support face 8. The arrangement issuch that, in the position of non-utilization, the inverted reservoirserves as cover and covers the casing 1 and the platform 12 as well asthe elements supported by the latter, with the exception of the lowerpart 1a of the casing, on the lateral side of which the control andadjustment buttons are situated (FIG. 1).

Moreover, the height between the platform 12 and the bottom of thereservoir 2 in its operating position is slightly greater than thelength of the handpiece 17 and of the nozzles 19 so that the latter canbe placed in this space (FIG. 4).

The platform is mounted so as to turn about the axis of the outletorifice 10 of the casing, by means of a turning adapter 20 formed by atubular connector (FIG. 11). The end of the pipe 18 connected to theoutlet orifice 10 is also mounted rotationally movably about the axis ofthe pipe, therefore about the axis of the outlet orifice 10, by the sametubular connector 20. Therefore, the pipe 18 can turn in relation to thecasing 1 and in relation to the platform 12 which can turn independentlyin relation to the casing 1. For this purpose, the platform 12 is formedby a piece with a sleeve 13 which is accommodated in a turning manner onthe tubular connector 20 (FIG. 11).

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 3a, the platform 12 comprises a curved sector 14with an excess thickness directed downwards, on which sector fouropenings 15 are provided, which are intended to receive four nozzles 19(FIG. 5). The support face 8 of the casing 1 is equipped with acorresponding curved groove 11, in which the curved sector 14 of theplatform 12 engages and can slide. The bottom of this groove 11 isequipped with an orifice 11a (FIG. 2) allowing flowing out of the water.The platform 12 is equipped on its lateral edge with a projection 12awhich serves as a handle making it possible to operate it more easilyand, in its corner directed towards the front of the apparatus, with areceiving opening 16 for the handpiece 17 (FIG. 3).

To use the apparatus, after having inverted the reservoir 2 and havingplaced it on the support face 5 in operating position, the platform 12is pivoted partially into a position of preparation (FIGS. 6 and 7). Inthis intermediate position, the handpiece 17 is released from thereservoir 2, which makes it possible to fix on it a nozzle 19'. Then,the reservoir 2 can be filled with water and replaced on the casingwithout the risk of a flowing out of water through the handpiece takingplace, as would be the case according to the principle of communicatingvessels if the nozzle was not fixed.

In order that all the nozzles 19 supported by the platform 12 as well asthis platform itself are freely accessible, the platform 12 is made topivot completely as far as its most removed extreme position (FIGS. 8and 9).

A catch can be provided to keep the platform in the intermediateposition (FIGS. 6 and 7) or in the extreme position (FIGS. 8 and 9), aswell as in the retracted position.

After having moved away from the casing 1 the handpiece 17, on which anozzle 19' has been fixed, and before starting the treatment, theplatform 12 is folded back into its retracted position so that it doesnot hamper the operation of said handpiece. This utilization position isillustrated in FIG. 10. Of course, in this utilization position, thefixed end of the pipe 18 is turned by means of the tubular connector 20about its axis so that the pipe 18 can easily be moved away from thecasing 1 in any direction so as to avoid contact with the casing in thecourse of utilization of the nozzle, as mentioned in the introduction.

FIG. 11 shows in a more detailed manner the arrangement of the turningadapter. The tubular connector 20 is inserted, via its relatively longinternal part 20a, into the outlet orifice 10 of the lower part 1a ofthe casing 1 by means of a guide socket 23. The lower end of the tubularconnector 20 penetrates into an opening of an internal part 27 of thecasing which is fixed to the bottom 28 of said casing 1. To render theadapter impermeable, the internal end of the tubular connector issurrounded by an 0-ring joint 26 inserted into an annular groove of thepart 27. Moreover, a retention socket 24 is provided, which is made ofelastically deformable material and in the form of a hood, theperipheral wall 24a of which is clamped on the part 27. The radial wall24b of the socket 24 has a central opening 25 (FIG. 12) passed throughby the tubular connector 20. This central opening 25 is extended by twodiametrically opposite cutouts 25a which give it a generally elongateshape and, on either side of it, there are provided two other curvedcutouts 25b which delimit two tongues 24c. The edge of these tongues 24cdirected towards the center of the opening is equipped withdiametrically opposite projections 24d which are provided to engage inan annular groove 21 formed on the periphery of the tubular connector 20(FIG. 11). In this manner, the tubular connector 20 is held removably bya sort of catching of the projections 24d in the groove 21 and, if thetubular connector 20 is pulled towards the top, said projections 24d canmove away towards the outside by virtue of the cutouts 25b which give acertain elasticity to the tongues 24c.

On the external part 20b of the tubular connector 20, the sleeve 13 ofthe platform 12 is placed, held in position by a collar 22 formed on thetubular connector, and, at the external end of the tubular connector 20,the pipe 18 is fixed clamped by a hoop 29. It can be seen that thetubular connector 20, with the pipe 18, can turn in the outlet orifice10 while the platform 12 can itself turn independently about thistubular connector 20. If the tubular connector 20 is removed, theplatform 12 can easily be demounted, the sleeve 13 thus being freed.

The invention is not limited to the embodiment which has just beendescribed and modifications could be made without thus leaving the scopeof the invention. In particular, as emerges from the description andfrom the utilization position illustrated in FIG. 10, the principal aimof the invention, namely the easy moving away of the pipe from thecasing in the course of utilization, is achieved by virtue of thepossibility of rotation of the end of the pipe in the outlet opening andtherefore, in principle, it is not absolutely necessary that theplatform can turn also.

It is also possible that the turning adapter be formed by the end itselfof the pipe. If the platform is also pivotable, it is mounted rotatablyabout the pipe.

I claim:
 1. An apparatus for dental hygiene including:a nozzle means; aliquid driving means within a housing, said liquid driving meansproviding liquid to said nozzle means; a liquid reservoir for providingliquid to said liquid driving means when said liquid reservoir is in anupright position, said liquid reservoir comprising a bottom surface andupwardly extending sidewalls; a lid for said reservoir wherein when saidlid engages said reservoir, a portion of said lid extending from saidsidewall thereby providing a gripping surface; a pedestal upon whichsaid liquid driving means is attached, said pedestal including a postthrough which fluid communication between said liquid driving means andsaid nozzle means coaxially extends, said post providing a pivot for aplatform, said platform including aperture means for engaging saidnozzle means; whereby when said liquid reservoir is emptied and turnedupside down, said liquid reservoir encases said liquid driving means andsaid nozzle means.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said liquidreservoir means further includes a handle.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2including hinge means for attaching said lid to said sidewalls.